Resident Alert: Beware of Fake Scammers Impersonating Microsoft with Virus Scams

In observance of Elder Abuse Awareness Day, officials in Montgomery County, Ohio, have issued a warning about the Microsoft virus scam, specifically targeting individuals who are less technologically savvy.

A recent incident involved a Washington Township man who fell victim to the fraudulent Microsoft virus scam, which prompted the county’s officials to raise awareness.

A 48-year-old man named Weihong Lian has been accused of deceiving an 83-year-old Ohio resident. The victim, believing that making substantial withdrawals would safeguard his money, unfortunately fell prey to the scam, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

Last year, the FBI issued a warning about the increasing prevalence of tech support fraud and the greater sums of money being stolen. These scams often involve imposters who pose as official representatives claiming to resolve issues related to compromised email accounts, software licenses, and viruses.

Essential Tips for Avoiding the ‘Microsoft Virus’ Scam

Remember that Microsoft will never initiate contact by displaying a telephone number for assistance when an error or warning message appears on your screen. They will also never request personal information or ask to fix your computer.

All contact with Microsoft should always be initiated by the user, rather than someone purporting to be from Microsoft.

Never disclose personal information to unfamiliar individuals:

• Date of birth
• Address
• Names of family members

Avoid sharing private information such as:

• Banking details
• Account numbers
• Usernames and passwords
• Credit or debit card numbers
• Social Security Numbers
• Medicare numbers
• Driver’s license numbers
• Mother’s maiden name

If someone calls and requests remote access to your computer, terminate the call immediately. Granting control of your computer could provide unauthorized access to your accounts.

Steps to Avoid Falling Victim to Scams

• If you suspect that someone is attempting to scam you, hang up immediately and contact your local police department or sheriff’s office. To report a scam directly to Microsoft, click here.

• Do not download software sent by others. Ensure that your antivirus software is up to date and obtained from a reputable source.

• Make an effort to use different and unique passwords. Consider using a trusted and reliable password manager if needed.
• Be cautious of tactics and keywords commonly used by scammers. The FBI cautions that scammers are increasingly asking victims to transfer funds from regular bank accounts to cryptocurrency wallets – do not comply with such requests.

For more information on how to recognize and report tech support scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website.

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